FPAC WELCOMES FOREST MINISTERS’ INNOVATION ACTION PLAN

June 9, 2016, Ottawa: The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) today welcomed the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ (CCFM) new Innovation Action Plan, calling it an “important step” towards a low-carbon economy.

Following an all-day meeting yesterday in Dawson City, Yukon on the future of Canada’s forests and forest products sector, the CCFM announced a renewed commitment to enhance “innovation and industry transformation,” including the Action Plan that outlines how Canadian jurisdictions will better work together on innovation and bio-economy initiatives.

Under the three pillars of collaboration, engagement and mobilization, the CCFM’s Innovation Action Plan outlines how jurisdictions will work together to help the forest sector achieve its potential in areas such as bio-products and building with wood, competitiveness and sustainability.

“This Action Plan recognizes the shared opportunity before us to continue to transform Canada’s forest sector into an even bigger economic driver,” said Derek Nighbor, FPAC’s CEO. “Our industry is at the forefront of addressing climate change and is doing so by sustainably managing our forests,creating new and innovative products and providing thousands of good-paying jobs right across Canada. We welcome this important government partnership.”

The CCFM, which includes cabinet ministers from across the country who are responsible for forests, also committed yesterday to various actions on climate change, environmental reputation, indigenous participation in the forest sector, all of which are important issues to the FPAC member companies.

The CCFM also reiterated its intention to again partner with FPAC to deliver two Skills Awards for Aboriginal Youth. The awards, which are each worth $2,500 and have been handed out since 2012, encourage Aboriginal workers to consider careers in the forest sector. Further information at http://www.fpac.ca/youthaward

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FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $65-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada’s GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.